Fractographic Evidence for Liquid on Obsidian Tools

Abstract

Existence of fractographic evidence for liquid on use-chipping scars on obsidian tools was explored. The presence of such evidence was confirmed on some use-chipping in contemporary applications as well as on blades from an Aztec site at Otumba, Mexico. The evidence is indicative of the presence of environmental liquid during the chipping fractures and, occasionally, it can at least suggest whether the liquid resembled or was very different from water. It is concluded that fractography can sometimes provide supplementary evidence helpful for determining the function of prehistoric obsidian tools.